Fulani Herdsmen choose grazing area in Abia community

Fulani Herdsmen insist on choosing grazing area in Abia community

- Over 100 herds of cattle invade farm lands in Ndiolumbe Nvosi community of Isiala Ngwa local government in Abia state

 - Spokesperson for the herdsmen, Mohammed Shuaibu, threatens the community for ejecting cattle from farmlands

 - The herdsmen ask that they be allowed to graze and pay compensation any time their cattle destroyed farm crops

    

         The Ndiolumbe Nvosi community of Isiala Ngwa local government in Abia state was thrown in a state of fear after Fulani herdsmen allegedly threatened the community for ejecting cattle from farmlands after two weeks of devastation of crops. 

          This Day reports that the near fracas between the herdsmen and the community began after over 100 herds of cattle invaded the community farm lands for two week.

          During the period, the cattle grazed and destroying farm crops of farmers in the area. 

          The traditional ruler of the agrarian community, HRH Eze Godwin Ogbonna told journalists that unable to bear further destruction of their crops, some youths forced the herds out of the farms. 

         “You can imagine where 100 cows stayed for two weeks, trampling on the farms and feeding on crops. Cassava, corns, vegetables and other valuable farms crops were laid waste. Hunger is looming as crops ready for harvest and the newly planted ones were all destroyed. 

         “I’ve been appealing to my people to be patient but the herdsmen refused to leave hence some youths forced them out the farms, they were just driven out without any fight," the traditional ruler stated.

          The monarch said after the herds of cattle were driven out of the farms, a man who gave his name as Mohammed Shuaibu came and threatened the community for ejecting the cattle. 

         The man reportedly told the traditional ruler that the herdsmen would not abandon grazing their cattle at Ndiolumbe, because they had surveyed the area and found it very suitable for grazing. 

         The herdsmen asked that they should be allowed to graze and pay compensation any time their cattle destroyed farm crops but the community declined, saying they won’t be living on compensation.

        “Our people are farmers and the herdsmen should understand that our crops are as important to us as their cattle are to them. So they should leave us alone and stop courting trouble,” the monarch said. 

   

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       When contacted on phone, the spokesperson for the herdsmen confirmed the misunderstanding with the community.

    

        He however stated that the issue had been resolved, adding that the herdsmen had agreed to take their cattle away from the farmlands and moved to a neighbouring village. 

        Meanwhile, the Nigerian presidency has listed reasons why it brought down the hammer on Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) while appearing to ignore the activities of rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

       According to the presidency, IPOB had clear tendencies of a terrorist group while the herdsmen were just a criminal group. 

      The clarifications were made by President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu in an interview with Nigerian Tribune published on Saturday, September 23.

      The clarifications were made by President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu in an interview with Nigerian Tribune published on Saturday, September 23.